EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 232, 28 October 1903, Page 2

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

Tsfi Board met at the Town Hall on Tuesday. Present: Messrs J. Mackenzie (chairman), S. P?rcy Smith, W. Monkhouse, I F. D. Wilkie, W. A. , Collie, and R. Dingle. , Leave of absence was granted to . Messrs Major and Okcy. The Committee reported having ( leased the following land at Oakura: 12 acres at 4a 6d per acre to Mrs J. J. I Looney; 88| acres at 3a 6d to J. p Looney; 47£ acres at 2* 6d to 0. Ross; j 116 acrej at 3d 61 to G. A. Adkm ; 55 ( acres at 3s to J. and F. Safton ; 20 s acres at 3s to J. Looney.—Confirmed. I The Chairman's annual report was , taken as read. Accounts were passed with the exception if Mr Stewart's, which was j referred to Messrs Dingle and MonkI house to certify, 3 It was deoided to ask the Djpirt- > menfc if the £2OO on the Estimates was , availiblp, as it was desirable the samo t should be issued during the coming u tourist season to bd allocated as follows: £SO each to the North and South Committees, £35 each to the East and West Committees, £3O to the j General Board, such money to be ex peuded on new works in connectiou [ with roads and h.u^es, , Authority was given to the South Committee to expend, out of the balI ance in hand, £6O in continuation of t the permanent road work, the balance • of £l3 18 i 10J to ba held for repairs [ and maintenance of housa. The Bast Committea was anthorisod , to spend £2 on the house and £ll 19.s Id on the track. The North Committee was authorieed to spend its balance of £lB 16s lid on further improving the track aud on necessary repairs to the house. It was decided to disband the East Committee and to appoint Messrs Dingle, Monkliouse ai:d Penn. Mi Carringtoa Wore appointed additional members of the North Committee. The request of Mr Ward tor a leise of tha Diwson's Falls Housa could not; be complied wit.h. Mr Follett Cirringtou was granted permission to erecs a hut at GnylingV clearing on paying a rental of 10s a year. The appointment made by the South Committee of Mr Ward wa3 confi'imd, The Secretary was instructed to write to persons named by Mr Wilkie as to damage to the Dawson's Fills House. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Borough Council for the use of the Council Chamber THE CHAIRMAN S REPORT. The number of visitors to the North House and Reserve last wis 1032. The receipts totalled £l4l inclusive of a Government grant of £SO. The expenditure was £ll2 8s Bd. The ae&son was a record one as regards the number of visitors, and tha roadway suffered by the heavy traffic, but it will be in fair condition for the coming season. The track from the house towards the summit wi'l be opened eu'; and improved, and the pathway from the house to the Waiwakaiho Gorge, and thence to Ball's F ills, will be reopened and made available to tourists and local visitors wishing to vuic these charming spots. The East Committee labours un ler the disadvantage of their house being ■ more exposed thin the others, and the ; main visitors from Stratford seldom reach the plateau where the house i- ; situated, hut are said to driv* to th end of the Pembroke-road and stteli up the track to a coavenie-.t picnicking ground. The receipts la-t season i w»;re £7O 13a Id and expenditure £6B 4s Bd. < •The energetic West Committee, assisted by a Government subsidy and I subscriptions, did a good year's work. A house wus built, 32ft. x 14ft., confining a genoral room and two sleep- i ing i'onm3, each having 12 bunks, but t about 35 people could be accommodated if required. The formal opening will

! take place nsxt sestsou. JBy the completion of a ho se ti-;ick gn ids c\n b ' paokvd to the houne. Al huiiirh without !i housn to rest nud sWp in, 200 visitors •isc-'uded via, Rahotu la-it *e 'son. Threceipts, which were £lO7, .'-aro quit» oxnnusted by t.ha expenditure mentioned. Tht) South Commutes had r vpvv i-ucoessfui Bauson, 6 8 the ncmd of 108-1 visitors proves. The oomfoi-tiiblj hous ■, together with the lovely scenory, doubtless hid a great deal to do with this A. Urge numier of visitors in ike th*mountain trip their yeirly outing, 'i'he receipts were £IOO 16s 6i and expendi;ure £9O 2s Id. I'he year as a wholi was well aheid of its predecessors as regards the visiors aud the interest tnke>i in Mount Egraon 1 -, although it was the shortest and wettest on record.